Caring Hands is the second volume of discussions that took place on the Animal Welfare Institute's online Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum. Incorporated in this book are nearly 2,000 comments from animal care personnel on practical ways to improve the living and handling conditions of animals assigned to research projects. It has been prepared for those who are responsible for the treatment of animals used in research, as well as for everybody who is genuinely concerned about the welfare of these animals, including animal rights advocates who may not be aware that most animal caretakers and technicians, many veterinarians, and some researchers do their very best to refine the traditional, often inadequate housing and inhumane handling practices so that the animals in their care experience less distress.